If you have any drummer friends, you can ask if they have spare keys to lend or give you. Consider using two drum keys at rods opposite each other on the drum. You’ll be able to tune faster and will get a more even tension (so long as you continue keeping them across from each other as you move diagonally around the drum).
Avoid completely loosening the rods at once. Remember to use a diagonal pattern when loosening and tightening the rods. This will prevent the rim from bending.
A loose drum lug can cause a buzz in the head. Also, wipe the new drum head to make sure everything’s clean and not dented.
Keep your tension rods and drum lugs clean and lubricated. To lubricate the rods, rub a little oil, petroleum jelly, or paraffin wax over them. [3] X Research source
Make sure the tension rods are all still tight and adjust them as needed. Once you’ve got the new head seated and the tension rods relatively tight, you’re ready to start tuning the drum.
Keep going around the drum until all of the tension rods are totally even and the drum has the sound that you want it to. You may have to go over all of the tension rods several times or until you reach the desired tone. [5] X Research source
If it is a new drum head, tension the head higher than your desired pitch and press hard in the center. You will hear the pitch drop. This seats the head, as well as pitches it correctly to get the great crack sound out of the snare. The top head should be tightened slightly tighter than the bottom when you’re finished.
If you don’t like some of the overtones that your drum is giving off, you can use some form of dampening (moon gel, drum gum, o-rings). You don’t want to use dampening as a solution to poor tuning. Instead, dampening can be used to enhance good tuning. [7] X Research source
To make sure your bottom and top heads have the same pitch, try muting the top head while you check the tune of the bottom. To do this, try setting the top head face-down on a drum stool while you check the bottom head. [8] X Research source
A good rule of thumb is to tighten the snares until just after they stop rattling. [9] X Research source
Tune the smallest tom first so that the top head is close to the pitch you want. Move on to the other drums, continuing to match the top head pitch. [10] X Research source
You may find that a particular tension or particular pitch is really good for your drums. Keep going until you find it. Experiment with what sounds you get out of your kit by comparing the tunes between the bottom and top heads. Tuning both heads to the exact same pitch will bring out a very resonant sound. Tuning the bottom head to a lower pitch than the top head will make a dropping sound. If the bottom head is tighter and has a higher pitch than the top head, you will get a very constant tone with little resonance. [11] X Research source
Tuning the bottom will make it easier to tune the top heads since the bottom will be reverberating at the correct pitch.
A rotating table setting, called a “lazy Susan,” would be perfect for the job, or use a rotating desk chair or bar stool. Get comfortable, because tuning can take a while.
